Life of the Overpowered Lord

Ashlaine opened her mouth and finally answered Bjorn after about 15 seconds.

"The marriage contract is real. However I have never agreed to it. I haven't broken the contract to this day because my father has begged me to not do so." She spoke calmly and evenly answering Bjorn's questions.

To Bjorn it was like a small explosion had gone off in his mind. Ashlaine's father had forced her into the engagement. On top of that he has begged her not to call of the engagement. 

"Tell me do you want this contract to stand?" 

"No."

"Do you want my help in ending this contract?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because my father begged me not to end it. He has never begged me for anything besides this."

Ashlaine's answers perplexed Bjorn. He had to respect her though. He was a man that liked a woman who had her own mind. Perhaps that is why he had trouble because of Scala, that woman had to much of her own mind. So scheming she ended up scheming against herself. Shaking those thoughts of that darkness off he opened his mouth and spoke his mind to her.

"Well if that is your decision I wont try to force this issue much. However if your father agreed to end this farce of an engagement then will you break the contract?"

"If my father said I could than I would break this contract instantly." Ashlaine responded quickly.

Balin listening to the pair speak could only lament his idiotic son. He never wanted to force this poor young woman into a relationship with his son, but as a father he felt the need to help his son. He looked over to his son who was still stuck partially in the wall and heaved a sigh.

Standing up he turned and spoke to Ashlaine.

"My dear Ashlaine if you want to break the contract I will drop it now. I asked my son and your father if you were ok with the contract and they both said you agreed happily. If I had known that the situation was like this I never would have pressed for it."

"Thank you for saying for so Uncle but I was never happy with this marriage contract. Your son has always given me the feeling that he just wants to use and abuse me. I have even heard him tell his friends that he will let them have their turns with me after he's had his fun." Still Ashlaine spoke calmly. Almost to calmly considering the words she had just spoken.

Dumbstruck by what Ashlaine had said about his son, Balin felt his world falling apart around him. All of these things were being said in front of the whole clan. What kind of son had he raised. Should he really have listened to Thor and sent him on a dangerous journey to temper him. If todays events said anything then yes he should have listened to his lord and sent Dalin out.

Bjorn was seething after listening to the conversation between the two. As Balin was getting ready to speak he was quickly cut off by Bjorn's voice.

"Ashlaine where is your father?"

"Not here."

"Where could he be then?"

"I couldn't tell you. Either he is at the casino gambling again, or he is off trying to kill something to make money."

Looking towards his father Bjorn asked," Father can you please summon her father?"

With a nod of his head to Bjorn, Thor called out a name that everyone knew quite well.

"Thurson Larkenthawe, warrior of the hold. Your lord calls for your presence."

Thor's voice once again boomed across the lands. The clan members in the hall quietly gulped their saliva. This had just blown up into something different. Thurson has been a warrior of the hold for a long time. Strong and sturdy he has answered Thor's calls for war more than most other warriors. Like Ashlaine had said though he had changed quite a bit when his wife had gotten sick after Ashlaine had left for her journey.

Not 5 minutes after Thor had called out for Thurson the doors to the Great Hall once again opened up. In stepped a large warrior that had bulging muscle and scars all over his body. His bald head bore the image of an eagle tattooed upon it. He wore a set of armor that was probably at one point very majestic. Now though it was dirty and in disrepair.

Thurson stepped into the hall and scanned it trying gauge the situation that he had been summoned into. Seeing Dalin smashed into the wall and his daughter and friend standing closer to the lords family he began to suspect something. When his gaze finally landed on Bjorn he had a shiver run down his spine.

Bjorn was staring at the older man like he would rip his spine out through his ass. Thurson was happy that the young master had finally returned, but that look made his blood run cold. It was then that he remembered how close Bjorn and his daughter had been in the past.

Walking towards Thor, Thurson bowed his head and spoke.

"Greetings my lord. Why have you summoned me?"

*Sigh*

"Thurson, I know times have been hard for you. That in no way was a good reason for you to force your daughter into a contract for marriage against her will. You know that is illegal in my hold."

"I know my lord and I cant ever ask for her forgivness. Her mother's bills and my poor habit of gambling drove me to this. Dalin approached me before his father asking me to sell Ashlaine to him. I refused, it was a few days later that Balin came to me asking for a marriage contract promising to give me many riches and to help pay my debt. It was an offer I couldn't refuse and because it was a marriage contract i believed that she would be safe from anything unsavory."

Listening to Thurson explain himself the crowd had varied reaction. Balin was disgusted learning the gall of his son to ask his friend to sell his daughter to him. Bjorn felt sympathy as well as fury at hearing the words of the father in front of him. He had let the weak and useless Dalin walk over him just because of money.

Before anyone else could speak Bjorn demanded," Break the contract. Now."

"Bjorn, don't demand that of my father. You've heard his reasons. I can't let him down if it helps him and my mother."

"Ashlaine you do-"

"No, father I do. I see no other way out of our predicament. This is the only way."

Ashlaine spoke strongly but if anyone with any kind of skill in paying attention could see that she was trembling with her decision. As Ashlaine got ready to walk away she heard something that took her breath away.

"My dear daughter....HeeHuuu... Balin I want to break the contract today no matter what it costs."

"Nothing my friend, I am ashamed of what my son has done. The contract is null and void."

Balin and Thurson broke the contract after hearing Ashlaine's earlier words. Ashlaine for her part jumped and was about to ask how they were supposed to pay the debts owed when Bjorn cut in.

"Then I will personally pay for the debts owed and help my dear friends mother."